Electrically conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–poly(styrene sulfonate)/polyacrylonitrile fabrics for humidity sensors

Abstract

Humidity sensors based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT–PSS)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber fabric were fabricated by a dip coating of nonwoven PAN nanofiber mat, which was prepared via an electrospinning method, in PEDOT–PSS solution. The influence of PAN solution concentration on their responsiveness to humidity on dynamic testing was monitored as the device was exposed to humidity. With the relative humidity (RH) changing from 0 to 100%, a resistance device response over 110% was achieved, and the curve of the resistance response with RH is of high linearity at the humidity working range of 0–100% RH. The high device reproducibility was demonstrated by carrying out vapor adsorption–desorption dynamic cycles, and the response and recovery times were determined to be of the order of 2–46 and 7–34 s, respectively. These hybrid polymer sensors can be used as disposable handheld instruments due to low cost and light weight.